London Gatwick Airport officially launched its new £186m (US$262m) Pier 1 facility today (June 14), which houses an entirely new baggage system for the South Terminal and state-of-the-art passenger gate rooms with views across the runway.
The new facility contains the airport’s first early bag store, which enables up to 2600 bags to be checked in up to 18 hours before departure, an initiative that improves convenience for passengers and also reduces waiting lines by spreading out check-in times.
Four new taxiways have also been constructed with new dual boarding facilities, reducing wait times at the passenger gates. A new lounge for premium passengers sits on top of the new Pier and boasts panoramic views across the airfield.
Stewart Wingate, CEO of London Gatwick, said, “Our new Pier 1 supports Gatwick’s mission to become London’s airport of choice and helps the airport on its journey to become one of the most efficient in the world.
“These new state-of-the-art facilities make it easy for airlines to choose Gatwick as an operating base and means our passengers will enjoy even better customer service.
“It is just this kind of efficiency that Gatwick would roll out en masse if we get the green light to expand. The UK must realize the potential of expansion and choose a second runway at Gatwick because it is the only option that can actually be delivered.”